Hamas Preparing for New War, Has Rebuilt 30,000–40,000 Fighters: Israeli Claim
Hamas, the Palestinian armed group seeking independence, has no plans to surrender its weapons or disarm. Instead, it is strengthening its forces in the Gaza Strip amid fears of a resumption of full-scale war with Israel.
Senior Israeli military officials recently presented such explosive intelligence to their American counterparts, according to a report by Israeli daily Haaretz.
The information, presented in Washington and shared with Israel’s top political leadership, reportedly indicates that Hamas is unwilling to cooperate with any international organisation. According to the assessment, the only way to disarm the group is through military operations or the use of force.
Citing an assessment by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Haaretz reported that Hamas has repaired its tunnel network and stockpiled weapons and military equipment in areas of the Gaza Strip that remain under its control.
According to the IDF’s assessment, Hamas currently has approximately 30,000 to 40,010 active fighters or members, roughly the same number it had before the October 7, 2023, attack.
A review by Israeli security agencies has found that Hamas has successfully re-established its governing structures and administrative control across the Gaza Strip. At present, no strong alternative force has emerged that could challenge Hamas’s authority in the enclave.
Meanwhile, US-led peace initiatives and mediation efforts have also stalled. The talks have reportedly been held up by sharp disagreements between the two sides over the terms and process of Hamas’s disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza under the agreement.
Source: Haaretz
